howcome it wasn't ppv but just on normal HBO since it was the 2 top heavyweights against one another?

Zarco

12-11-2009, 03:12 AM

vitali was not a big enough name.

catalinul

12-11-2009, 03:22 AM

It wasn't build as a PPV since Lennox was suppose to fight Kirk Johnson who pulled out 2 weeks before.

Davros?

12-11-2009, 03:48 AM

howcome it wasn't ppv but just on normal HBO since it was the 2 top heavyweights against one another?

Vitali was a last min replacement and at the time was not a big name.

1SILVA

12-11-2009, 04:56 AM

howcome it wasn't ppv but just on normal HBO since it was the 2 top heavyweights against one another?

Vitali was a last minute replacement for Kirk johnson

cooper5

12-11-2009, 05:07 AM

The date was set for HBO already, and as everybody said the two heavyweights agreed at the last minute to meet. But Vitali was a big name and the top contender with the WBC. Lewis was still in vegas for a bit role in a movie(One of the oceans movies) and figured he'd go for it.

boxing_great

12-11-2009, 09:04 AM

thanks for the answers.
Does anybody think had Lennox had more notice to prepare for Vitali, he would have performed a bit better than he did?

1SILVA

12-11-2009, 10:43 AM

thanks for the answers.
Does anybody think had Lennox had more notice to prepare for Vitali, he would have performed a bit better than he did?

Yes. Lewis was totally out of shape as he took Johnson too lightly. He weighed the heaviest of his career. Also, Lewis didn't seem to have the same hunger for the game.

catalinul

12-11-2009, 01:07 PM

thanks for the answers.
Does anybody think had Lennox had more notice to prepare for Vitali, he would have performed a bit better than he did?

Offcourse.

He obviously took Johnson lightly(maybe rightfully so) and when the opponent changed he still didn't change gears.If you look at the telecast there is a pre fight interview with him in which he completely dismisses Vitali and is very ****y.
Plus he was 38 and past his best.

sonnyboyx2

12-11-2009, 02:57 PM

Offcourse.

He obviously took Johnson lightly(maybe rightfully so) and when the opponent changed he still didn't change gears.If you look at the telecast there is a pre fight interview with him in which he completely dismisses Vitali and is very ****y.
Plus he was 38 and past his best.

your correct... Lewis boasted he would have one Klitschko for breakfast and the other Klitschko for dinner... Vitali was thought to be by far the easiest of the 2 brothers

THEGRANDSLAM

12-11-2009, 04:04 PM

As Lennox said in Ring not long ago "I beat Vitali at his best when I was at my worst"

The only way Vitali can have any legacy is by fighting the best out there i.e. his brother

boxing_great

12-11-2009, 11:39 PM

But isn't Lennox always a PPV fighter no matter who he is fighting?
What determines a PPV event?
e.g. isn't floyd , pac , cotto ,always ppv fighters no matter who they fight? or does it take 2 big names to make a PPV fight?

TimothyQ

12-11-2009, 11:54 PM

Because back then there was an ounce of credibility left in promoters and the fight didn't deserve a PPV (in hindsight it did... at the time it didn't.) Now, Zab Judah gets PPV's against bums. Boxing is it's own worst enemy.

catalinul

12-12-2009, 05:35 AM

your correct... Lewis boasted he would have one Klitschko for breakfast and the other Klitschko for dinner... Vitali was thought to be by far the easiest of the 2 brothers

How was Vitali ''thought to be by far the easier brother'' when Wladimir got knocked out a few months earlier?